Italian Gunner's Stiletto
An Italian Gunner's Stiletto (Fusetto di Bombardiere), mid-17th Century. With tapering blade of triangular section formed with a deep fuller pierced with three groups of holes and slots on each face, moulded baluster-shaped forte, steel hilt formed of a pair of spirally-moulded quillons and pommel en suite, spirally-carved horn grip inset with brass nails. 23.2 cm blade
First developed in Italy, the stiletto dates from the late 15th century, and is thought to be a development of the rondel dagger or misericordia, a needle-pointed weapon with a narrow blade designed primarily for thrusting, though possessing cutting edges. Early stilettos normally used a one-piece cast-metal handle which was shaped and turned on a lathe. The stiletto blade was usually hammer-forged into a dense rod with a narrow, triangular cross section, without any sharpened edges. However, other examples of the period have emerged bearing round, square, or diamond cross sections.
An Italian Gunner's Stiletto (Fusetto di Bombardiere), mid-17th Century. With tapering blade of triangular section formed with a deep fuller pierced with three groups of holes and slots on each face, moulded baluster-shaped forte, steel hilt formed of a pair of spirally-moulded quillons and pommel en suite, spirally-carved horn grip inset with brass nails. 23.2 cm blade
First developed in Italy, the stiletto dates from the late 15th century, and is thought to be a development of the rondel dagger or misericordia, a needle-pointed weapon with a narrow blade designed primarily for thrusting, though possessing cutting edges. Early stilettos normally used a one-piece cast-metal handle which was shaped and turned on a lathe. The stiletto blade was usually hammer-forged into a dense rod with a narrow, triangular cross section, without any sharpened edges. However, other examples of the period have emerged bearing round, square, or diamond cross sections.
An Italian Gunner's Stiletto (Fusetto di Bombardiere), mid-17th Century. With tapering blade of triangular section formed with a deep fuller pierced with three groups of holes and slots on each face, moulded baluster-shaped forte, steel hilt formed of a pair of spirally-moulded quillons and pommel en suite, spirally-carved horn grip inset with brass nails. 23.2 cm blade
First developed in Italy, the stiletto dates from the late 15th century, and is thought to be a development of the rondel dagger or misericordia, a needle-pointed weapon with a narrow blade designed primarily for thrusting, though possessing cutting edges. Early stilettos normally used a one-piece cast-metal handle which was shaped and turned on a lathe. The stiletto blade was usually hammer-forged into a dense rod with a narrow, triangular cross section, without any sharpened edges. However, other examples of the period have emerged bearing round, square, or diamond cross sections.